For 4^th grade parents from Mrs. Fuchs, Science Teacher:

In order to help your child learn to keep up with long-term assignments, all science students will have At-Home science experiments due during the school year. The due date for this project will be listed on the study calendar in each child’s binder, and posted on my web page. They will always know what their deadlines are. I would recommend that you transfer such dates to your family’s calendar as well for reference. They will have 4-6 weeks to do each project, depending on the calendar structures.

The assignment is to do an experiment at home and type it up on the computer using the form given to them in class. They are to keep this form in the science section of their binders at all times so they can refer to it when needed.

The assignment itself is not difficult. I have hundreds of experiments from which they may choose, or they may research in the library or on the Internet. Duplicating someone else’s experiment is fine; however, I do encourage them to try to think of their own questions, and design their own experiments to answer them. They do receive a small amount of extra credit for an original idea, but do not push your children to do that until they feel they are ready. The main emphasis of this project is learning to meet long-term deadlines, because this is an organizational skill that requires practice on the part of many young children.

The students will do a practice experiment with me in class this week, and they will be required to type it up on the computer and turn it in to me. They will copy word-for-word the practice sample I send home with them, and then will bring it back to show me. Once it is approved, we will then practice filling out the grading checklist that goes on top of the experiment each time. You will be asked to sign it, and then it becomes part of the sample to which they can refer in the future. I will put my sample and their copies into a plastic sheet protector, which will stay in their science section at all times. This experiment we do together will count as their at-home experiment for the first quarter, and they do not have to do another one until the second quarter.

Each time they do a project, they will receive extra credit if an experiment is turned in at least two weeks prior to the final deadline. I do this to encourage tracking of the due date, and it is a “target date” you will see on their study calendars, along with the due date. The first student in each class to turn in a completed experiment for that due date is designated as a “Star Student” and receives special recognition for displaying such responsibility.

Once again, please encourage your children, but do not push them. If they miss dates, let it be a learning experience for them so they will have this under control in fifth grade, when number grades are given.

If you have any questions, please let me know!